THIS RESTAURANT IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED Pastis Restaurant Review

: Balthazar Restaurant's spirited younger sibling manages to live up to all of its forerunner's hype without stealing any of its thunder. The huge space has a decidedly Parisian aura and looks so perfectly lived in, down to the cigarette-stained tile and worn floorboards. The menu serves what only can be described as French comfort food with dishes like steak tartare, a crisp croque monsieur, a grilled chicken paillard sandwich, savory moules frites au Pernod, and, of course, steak frites with béarnaise sauce. Nothing served at Pastis will rock the gastronomic world, but it’s a nice Gallic escape from the daily grind of Gotham. Make reservations in advance or be prepared to wait (and wait) with throngs of tourists hoping to catch a celeb sighting.